St. Louis-based fast-casual restaurant chain Panera Bread has announced a new line of beverages, including the first caffeinated energy drinks to be introduced since its controversial Charged Lemonades.
Panera’s new specialty drinks include two caffeine-free Frescas and two Energy Refreshers, the latter of which contains at least eight times less caffeine than the Charged Lemonades.
Panera pulled its Charged Lemonade drinks in 2024 after multiple lawsuits blamed the beverages for deaths and permanent health problems. At the time, the company told Nexstar that it was transforming its menu and “focusing….on the broad array of beverages we know our guests desire — ranging from exciting, on-trend flavors, to low sugar and low-caffeine options.”
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Some of the Charged Lemonade options contained over 300 milligrams of caffeine when they debuted in 2022. In 2023, the quantities dropped to 237 milligrams or lower. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration says a daily caffeine consumption of 400 milligrams is “not generally associated with negative effects,” reactions to caffeine consumption can vary from person to person.
Of Panera’s newest drinks, it’s the Passionfruit Paradise Energy Refresher that has the most caffeine, at 28 milligrams per 20-ounce cup and 44 milligrams per 30-ounce cup. The Dragonfruit Sunset Energy Refresher has 28 milligrams of caffeine in a 20-ounce cup and 42 milligrams of caffeine in a 30-ounce cup, according to Panera.
As it did with the Charged Lemonades, Panera includes a warning about its new caffeinated offerings: “Contains caffeine. Energy Refreshers are not recommended for children, people sensitive to caffeine, pregnant or nursing women.”
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The chain’s new caffeine-free drinks, meanwhile, are the Cherry Lime Fresca and the Strawberry Basil Lemonade Fresca.
“With the launch of our new Frescas and Energy Refreshers, we are redefining the premium beverage experience at Panera,” Mark Shambura, the chief marketing officer at Panera Bread, said. “By combining bold flavors with the high-quality ingredients that our guests know and love, including real fruit, we have created a lineup of drinks that are both invigorating and delicious. I am incredibly excited for our guests to discover their new favorite way to refresh and recharge.”
Beyond the drinks, Panera also announced a new bakery item, the Dubai Style Chocolate Pistachio Cookie.
Nexstar’s Addy Bink contributed to this report.
